TRANS MONGOLIAN

The epic Trans-Mongolian railway is arguably the worlds greatest journey. The longest continuous railway on earth; it spans more than a third of the entire globe's surface, covering a huge 6000 miles (10000 km).

Our prices start at just £999 for a full tour including train tickets with accommodation and tours in Irkutsk (Siberia) and Ulan Bator (Mongolia).

Please note that some sections of these tours travel to areas where the British FCO advises against all travel to.

We research the security of our destinations highly and safety is a priority for us, however, we advise ytou to do your own research too to ensure you are comfortable with your trip.

Please note these travel warnings may also affect travel insurance for these regions, please contact us for advice on this.

Our Trans-Mongolian tours run weekly throughout the year and can be done both West to East and vice versa.

We offer various options, including a monthly departure which links up with our North Korea tours.

Most nationalities will require visas for each of the 3 countries visited on this tour. We provide visa support documents for each.

Trans Mongolian (Moscow to Beijing and Beijing to Moscow - 2 tours)This tour is priced at £995 per person.

For Moscow to Beijing and vice versa, St Pete to Beijing and vice versa (4 tours) a deposit of £250 is required upon booking to secure your place on the tour. The Trans Mongolian 2 comfort tours are £350, while the Pyongyang tour is £500.

BALANCE:

The balance on your tour must be paid no later than 8 weeks prior to departure.

BOOKING FORM:

To secure your place on a tour please fill out and submit the following
BOOKING FORM

UPCOMING TOURS

Our current upcoming group tours can be seen below. They are all guaranteed departures.

TOUR DATES

TOUR NAME

Total Days

PRICE

Trans-Mongolian (Beijing-Moscow Comfort)

tour-open

East to West Comfort Tour

13

2935

500

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (Beijing-Moscow)

tour-open

West to East Tour

13

1025

300

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (Beijing-Pyongyang)

tour-open

Moscow to Pyongyang Tour

21

1869

500

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (Beijing-St. Petersburg)

tour-open

West to East Extended Tour

18

1299

300

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (Moscow-Beijing Comfort)

tour-open

West to East Comfort Tour

14

2935

500

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (Moscow-Beijing)

tour-open

East to West Tour

13

999

300

dynamic

6

Trans-Mongolian (St. Petersburg-Beijing)

tour-open

East to West Extended Tour

18

1259

300

dynamic

6

2020 TOURS

Our 2020 Trans Mongolian tour packages can be seen below.

TOUR DATES

TOUR NAME

Total Days

PRICE

Trans-Mongolian (Atherton-Pyongyang)

tour-closed

2020-09-12

2020-10-12

Atherton to Pyongyang Tour

30

3245

500

dynamic

0

September

Trans-Mongolian (Wigan-Pyongyang)

tour-open

2020-04-25

2020-05-24

Wigan to Pyongyang Tour

30

3195

500

static

1

April

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrive Moscow

Arrive at Moscow Yaroslav station and leave aboard the 13:50 train. Head out of Moscow's suburbs and begin your journey east towards Siberia.

Day 2 -Journey through the Ural Mountains

In the morning we will visit the parks and squares of the capital, Ertogrul Ghazi mosque, and the archaeological site of Nisa. Here there are mud brick remains of fortifications and palaces, temples, ceremony hall and treasury building. It covers the remains of Parthian civilization, which combined traditional Turkmen art and culture with Greek and Roman elements. The richly decorated architecture of religious, royal power and ordinary domestic functions has been revealed as the result of archaeological excavations which started at the beginning of 20th century and continues in the present day. Nisa or Parthaunisa is presumed to be the first capital of Parthians. The ancient civilisation lived along the Kopet Dag mountain range (modern Turkmenistan and Iran). UNESCO states that Nisa played an important role of a barrier to Roman Empire expansion to the East, whilst also acting as the communication and trading centre between East and West, between Central Asia and Mediterranean cultures.
Afterwards we visit Turkmenbashy spiritual mosque in Kipchak before returning to hotel and spending the evening at leisure.

Day 3 - Pass the 2102km point

Relax onboard the train and make the most of the restaurant car as you head towards Omsk and pass the 2102km point, which officially marks the border of Siberia. Give your legs a stretch at each stop and buy food from the many sellers on the platforms.

Day 4 - Ob River bridge

Travel onwards towards Krasnoyarsk as you pass through the busiest section of railway in the world. Here you'll view freight trains, mainly full of coal heading towards the Ural smelting works from the Kubas Basin. Further along you will cross one of the world's longest rivers on the 870m long Ob River bridge.

Day 5 - Arrival into Irkutsk

Arrival into Irkutsk at approximately 10:40. Transfer to your hostel and spend the day at leisure around Irkutsk. Maybe go for a leisurely stroll and take in the beautiful wooden buildings before visiting the Church of the Saviour, the Znamensky monastery and Irkutsk Museum. Later, head to the market to pick up some supplies then head out for a tradition Siberian meal at one of the city's many restaurants before continuing onto a bar or club later.

Day 6 - Primorsky mountains

Our driver will pick you up at 09:00 and drive you to Irkutsk station where you will transfer onto a bus and head north 250 km along the Primorsky Mountains on Baikal's western shore towards Lake Baikal*, the deepest lake in the world at 1673m. We have a coffee stop en route before arriving at the Olkhon Island ferry around 14:00. After a short stroll around the ferry station we make the crossing to Olkhon Island, 71km long and 14.5km wide; making it the largest lake island in the world. Olkhon is populated primarily by the Buryati people who are of Mongolian descent and whose Buddhist practices coexist with their shamanism. Upon arrival you are transferred to your accommodation at a fisherman's family guesthouse, made up of wooden chalets. After lunch group members can explore the village and visit the museum of Local Lore. A walking excursion can be done through the village to the Cape of Burkhan to see the famous Crag of Shaman (Rock Temple) which was generally regarded as one of the 9 sanctuaries of Asia. Return to dine on a local Baikal speciality of home-cooked grayling (when available), before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 7 - Olkhon Island

In the morning depart by jeep or minibus to explore Olkhon Island and classic Lake Baikal vistas. Head north and make your first stop at Sagaan-Khushun Cape, a beautiful cliff covered in red lichen. Then head forward to the coastal sand dunes and stretches of beach along the way, including the 200m high cliffs of Khoboy Cape at the northern tip of the island. After a picnic-lunch (Baikal omul fish-soup), cooked on an open fire in Uzuri bay you will return to Khuzir village. Experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna) before being served a traditional Olkhon dinner. Again spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 8 - Drive to Irkutsk

After a farewell breakfast in the guesthouse, you will be picked up in a minibus and driven onwards to the ferry station. Cross the strait to the mainland and drive to Irkutsk. There is an en route coffee stop soon after the ferry crossing. Arrival into Irkutsk at approximately 18:00. Check back into your accommodation and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 9 - Crossing into Mongolia

Transfer to the train station for your train departing at approx 08:00. You’ll spend the day onboard the train, passing through the semi-autonomous region of Buryatia and the shores of Goose Lake. Arrive at the Russian border town of Naushki ready for your crossing into Mongolia. After passports are checked you enter Mongolia and witness a rapid change of scenery with the pine and birch forests making way for the beautiful green pastures of the Selenge River basin

Day 10 - Ulaanbaatar

Arrive into Ulan Bator at approx 07:00. Transfer to your accommodation and the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure around the capital. Maybe visit Sukhbaatar Square, Nairamdal Park, the Gandantegchinlen Khiid Temple and National Museum of Mongolian History before heading for dinner at any one of a wide range of restaurants; we recommend you try a traditional Mongolian barbecue. In the evening you could visit the Tumen Ekh Ensemble Palace to view contortionists, dancers, opera singers and the bizarre Mongolian throat singers!

Day 11 - Terelj National Park

Our driver picks you up in the morning and drives you to Terelj National Park, 50 miles northeast of Ulan Bator. Enter the park and immediately feel the cool alpine air and view the magnificent mountain scenery. You will be taken to see local artists and to view hawks and eagles and even camels! You then transfer from the minibus onto horseback** and a journey into the valleys past streams and through winding mountain paths. Continuing on foot you begin a mountain hike up to Ariyapala Temple crossing a rope bridge along the way. After ascending the steps to the temple you will have the chance to meditate or simply sit back and admire the amazing views. You then return to your horses and head back to Turtle Rock and the Ger Camp where you will spend the night. The camp is set in the spectacular Gorkhi River valley. Settle down in your Ger then meet the farmer and his family who own the camp. Spend the rest of the afternoon taking leisurely strolls on green meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a variety of other wildflowers. You can also view incredible rock formations against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains and stroll along the banks of a mountain stream. Return to your camp and relax for the evening. Have dinner cooked on a stove inside your Ger and eat it outside (weather dependent) under a huge starlit sky. When the temperature drops head inside the Ger and light up your stove to keep you warm during the night.

Day 12 - Chinggis Khan complex

After breakfast we head to visit the Chinggis Khan complex outside Ulan Bator. Go up inside the huge statue before returning to your accommodation in Ulan Bator with the afternoon spent at leisure. Maybe visit the National Modern Art Gallery, the Museum of National History and the Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan. Visit the huge State Department Store before eating dinner at one of the city's many restaurants and maybe spend the evening watching the ballet at the State Opera & Ballet Theatre or a live rock or jazz band at one of the city's bars

Day 13 - Journey through the Gobi Desert

Arise early for your transfer to the station where you can order breakfast before the 07:30 train to Beijing arrives. Head south through hundreds of miles of the Gobi desert, as far as your eyes can see. Have dinner in the extravagant Chinese restaurant carriage before arriving at the border around 21:00.

Day 14 - Tour Ends

Travel through incredible Chinese countryside, crossing the Great Wall of China and finally arriving in Beijing at approx. 14:30. This is where your tour ends.

*During a period of 3-5 days in April, the lake becomes too dangerous to cross due to melting ice. The dates depend on the weather conditions. Therefore for April trips we cannot guarantee the tour. In this case we will replace the tour with a visit to Listvnyanka or the Circumbaikal railway.

** for anyone not keen on horse riding we can offer the alternative option of hiking or simply relaxing at the Ger camp.

Please note that for any bookings coming less than 12 weeks prior to departure we cannot guarantee availability of train tickets.

Day 15 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 16 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 17 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 18 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 19 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 20 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 21 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 22 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 23 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 24 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 25 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 26 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 27 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 28 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 29 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 30 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Day 31 - Tour Ends

Day at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight home.

DETAILS

Includes:

- All train tickets (2nd class) throughout the journey- Hostel accommodation (or hotel for upgrade tour) in each stop along the route except Olkhon Island (wooden cabin) and Terelj National Park (Ger camp).- Train station transfers in Irkutsk and Ulaanbataar- All meals included on Olkhon Island and during Terelj NP tour- Public transport to Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island - Private transport to Terelj NP- Driver/guide for Olkhon Island tour- English speaking driver and guide for Terelj tour- Russian visa invitation and supporting documents for Chinese and Mongolian visas

Excludes:

- International flights to/from Russia and China- Visa fees- Travel insurance- Meals on trains and in each city- Tips for guides